Compacts

[cyclingsheep]

Having just signed up to do the Etape Cymru next month (and having had a drive over part of the route) I'm thinking that I may need a compact cassette for this ride. My question is, does anyone know if the Campagnolo Veloce 9spd rear is compatible with any compact cassette or do I need to get a new rear mech as well? Alternately is getting a smaller front sprocket the answer? Currently my smallest gearing is 39/26. Any help appreciated.

 

[YahudaMoon]

[sup]Do you mean a compact chainset ?[/sup]

 

[ColinJ]

I was asking a friend a similar question about an hour ago!

I think your options are to go to a 13-28 cassette (the opposite of compact, because it is bigger than the one you currently use!) or to a compact chainset, say a 50/34.

The new cassette would only lower your bottom gear by 7% but a 34 tooth small chainring would lower it by a more significant 13% but changing chainsets would cost more.

I have a medium cage Campagnolo rear mech. on my Cannondale and I already use a 13-29 cassette on (10 speed) but I need even lower gears so I might switch to a compact chainset. According to my pal and the sites that I consulted, my rear mech. has enough capacity to cope with the 32 tooth difference between big-big and small-small ring-sprocket combinations.

If you have a short cage derailleur, it might be a bit more borderline but I reckon it would work.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd also have a think on the gearing you might need when the legs are getting a bit tired - I think 34 28 would be welcome towards the back end of the trip.

 

[Sittingduck]

I have a 34/50 with 11-28 out back and I loves it

 

[cyclingsheep]

Cheers guys. I'm going to try a 28/13 cassette first and see how that goes as I won't need to replace the Campag rear mech (which is short cage version). I don't want to turn my trusty steed into a mountain bike (I already have one of those) just to make some steeper stuff less of a lung buster. I did ride up Alpe d'Huez (all be it not after riding a previous 60miles) with the current gearing after much less training just think I'm a little paranoid about this Etape course for some reason.